New Medieval Books: Crusader Principality of Antioch from Bohemond I to Bohemond III (1098-1161)
When it comes to the Crusader States, the Principality of Antioch is often overlooked. This book aims to correct that, offering an in-depth examination of its political history during the first six decades of its existence.
The Battle of Ramla: How Baldwin I Nearly Lost Everything
Baldwin I expected a minor raid at Ramla in 1102. Instead, the King of Jerusalem faced a powerful Fatimid army and one of his most disastrous defeats.
New Medieval Books: Cultures of the Medieval Kingdom of Jerusalem
In the aftermath of the First Crusade, a new state emerged in the eastern Mediterranean that was very different from the lands its conquerors had come from. This book examines the social and cultural landscape of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, revealing a remarkably diverse society shaped by peoples of different ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.
How the Crusaders Turned Gaza into a Medieval Frontier Fortress
Gaza became a Crusader fortress that isolated Fatimid-held Ascalon and reshaped the medieval struggle between the Kingdom of Jerusalem and Egypt.
What Happened After the First Crusade? The Battle for the Coast
Italian fleets, sailors and siege engineers played an overlooked role in capturing the fortified coastal cities of the medieval Holy Land.
Israeli Forces Occupy Crusader Castle in Lebanon
One of the most famous castles of the Crusader era has once again become a battlefield. Israeli forces have occupied Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, marking their deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter century and returning the medieval fortress to the centre of a modern conflict.
18 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Saladin
Discover 18 surprising facts about Saladin, the medieval leader who recaptured Jerusalem—revealing his education, beliefs, and lesser-known personal life.
New Medieval Books: Chronicle of Michael the Great
One of the most important accounts from the Near East in the 12th century is the Chronicle of Michael the Great. This book offers an English translation of the abridged Armenian version of that chronicle.
Baybars and the Fall of the Syrian Assassins
Steve Tibble on how Baybars dismantled the Syrian Assassins, turned them into Mamluk agents, and reshaped Nizari Ismailism in the thirteenth century.
A Murder in Crusader Acre: The Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat
In 1192, Conrad of Montferrat, Jerusalem’s king-elect, was stabbed to death in crusader Acre—an infamous medieval assassination surrounded by suspects, politics, and mystery.
The Classical Near East, with Kevin van Bladel
A conversation with Kevin van Bladel on his proposal regarding “The Classical Near East,” a constellation of fields defined by the classical literary…
The Failed Hit at Mont Gisard: The Templars against Saladin
At the Battle of Mont Gisard in 1177, the Templars came within yards of killing Saladin. This feature looks at the near-assassination, the shock of the Frankish charge, and how Saladin sought revenge in the years that followed.
‘Be on the Lookout for Us’: The Assassins Against Saladin
Assassins struck at Saladin twice in 1175–1176, using disguise, surprise, and terror as weapons of statecraft. Chroniclers recount near-misses, propaganda spin, and a tense settlement that brought peace without trust.
Bethlehem’s Christmas Relic: The Chalky Soil of the Milk Grotto
Discover Bethlehem’s Milk Grotto and its chalky white soil, a medieval Christian relic linked to the Virgin Mary’s milk and used in devotion, healing, fertility, and pilgrimage traditions across Europe.
New Medieval Books: Assassins and Templars
When it comes to the crusading era, few groups have been more mythologised than the Knights Templar and the Ismailis—often labelled the “Assassins.” This book takes a fresh look at both, showing not only how their histories have been shaped by legend, but also how—and why—they could resemble each other in surprising ways.
Assassins and Templars at War – Ambushes and Ambassadors
A dramatic ambush derailed a potential alliance between the Crusaders and the Assassins, plunging the Kingdom of Jerusalem into crisis. This article explores the negotiations, the killing of the Nizari envoy and the political fallout that followed.
How a Medieval Sect Built a Mountain Stronghold in Syria
Discover how a persecuted sect known as the Assassins transformed remote Syrian fortresses into the centre of a medieval mountain state—blending diplomacy, strategy, and fortification to secure their survival.
Medieval Sugar Mill Complex Discovered in Israel
Archaeologists in northern Israel have uncovered Mamluk-era tunnels beneath Gan Ha-Shelosha National Park, revealing a 15th–16th-century sugar mill complex powered by brackish spring water.
When the Assassins Came to Damascus
In 1113, Mawdud of Mosul was assassinated in Damascus by the Nizaris, exposing the deep rivalries between Turkic rulers and the Assassins’ growing influence. This account explores how politics, betrayal, and religious divisions shaped power in medieval Syria.
When the Assassins Came to Aleppo
Learn how Ridwan of Aleppo allied with the Assassins, allowing them to spread their influence and carry out their first missions in medieval Syria.
Fear and Loathing in Lebanon – Assassins, Templars and the World’s Most Toxic Landlord-Tenant Relationship
On the volatile crusader frontier of Tripoli, the Templars became the new “landlords,” taking over castles and villages to defend Christendom. Their unwilling neighbours—the Nizari Assassins—responded with a century of assassinations, raids, and uneasy tribute in one of history’s most toxic landlord-tenant relationships.
Sinan: The Old Man of the Mountain
Meet Rashid al-Din Sinan, the Nizari Ismaili leader remembered as the “Old Man of the Mountain,” who built fortresses, trained the Assassins, and shaped one of the most feared movements of the medieval Middle East.
Early Medieval Estate Discovered in Israel
Archaeologists uncover a 1,600-year-old Samaritan estate with mosaics, inscriptions, baths, and an olive press at Kafr Qasim in central Israel.
African Figurines Discovered in Medieval Graves in Southern Israel
Archaeologists uncover 1,500-year-old burial goods reflecting the diverse Christian communities of the early medieval Negev.